Ocotillo Silhouetted at Sunset

The Ocotillo is a curious, and unique desert plant of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. For much of the year, the plant appears to be an arrangement of large spiny dead sticks, although closer examination reveals that the stems are partly green. With rainfall the plant quickly becomes lush with small (2-4 cm) ovate leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months. In this Sunset picture taken at Saguaro Buttes it makes for an unique picture, with the Ocotillo and Saguaro cactus silhouetted against the setting sun, the Palo Verde tree in the background, and the bride and groom framed in the center.